WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND: JUNE 2013

WITH DAVE AFFLECK OF CAR 87

Since months of rain often surpass the duration of a dry season, the Pacific West Coast’s urban climate finds itself located within of one of the greenest rainforests of abundant growth. That said, management of these lush trees requires regular upkeep. Vancouver musician and tree climber spends his days doing just that. Trimming, pruning, and offering arborist and landscape services in Vancouver. When Dave Affleck is not defying gravity out on a limb, he can be found manning a pair of sticks behind one of Vancouver’s hardest hitting punk bands. With a long history playing bands in this equally prolific local scene, his latest project is drumming for Car 87.

BeatRoute: So are you are the founder of Dave’s Tree Service?

Dave Affleck: Yes, I operate under “Dave’s Tree Service” and of course, my name is Dave and I work with trees.

BR: How did you start the company and why?

DA: I started working on Bowen Island back in the early ’90s building marinas and houses and couldn’t stand a nine-to-five job, but didn’t know what to do. Then I met a fellow there who was a logger and he hired me and within a week of working with him, I started doing firewood delivering to residents of Bowen Island. That gave me the freedom to work my own hours.

BR: Where you learned your trade, are there unique skills how did you get started climbing?

DA: I learned my trade first as a logger, then when I started delivering firewood, everybody and his or her dog asked me to remove a tree. So I hired climbers, which none of them wanted to show me, or had the time to teach me the skills. Then I met a guy in Nanaimo who had his own company, Buckin’ Billy Ray’s Tree Service. He hired me and taught me everything he knew. He had been climbing for eight years at that point. Then I took a few courses after that.

BR: What’s the best part of the job?

DA: I like dangerous tree removals, however, if a tree is not much of a hazard, would suggest spiral pruning or lifting the skirt. Ha-ha! That way there’s always a finished project to look at.

BR: What is your favourite season or time of year to be working and why?

DA: Spring, because of the temperature, less rain or summer is one of my favourite seasons to work because it’s easier on the muscles. Although (laughing) if I didn’t work in the rain I would be broke.

BR: Who are most of your clients?

DA: Homeowners, stratas, builders and people with trees!

BR: Have you and your company as a tree service worked on special projects for the music industry or punk rock scene?

DA: No I keep it separate. I “pays” for my skins and sticks. Ha ha!

BR: What’s the best part of your job?

DA: Being your own boss.

BR: What kind of music do you listen at work?

DA: I don’t listen to music at work; it’s unsafe.

BR: How does your musical life and your business work together?

DA: One pays for the other. I can tour when I need to. It gives me more freedom than your average nine-to-five job.

BR: What do you do when you get off work?

DA: Sometimes I go to rehearsal, other times I just hang out with my girlfriend, but being your own boss sometimes can be 24/7 and it can get overwhelming at times. So rehearsals are always good stress relief!

BR: Do you have any albums and releases in the near future?

DA: Yeah, we have a split coming out with the Kroovy Rookers from Edmonton.

CAR 87 is playing June 29th at the Railway Club in Vancouver with Anchoress.

Story and photos by tiina liimu